It is a common tendency to confuse dairy with lactose. However, lactose free and dairy free are completely different ingredient situations. Lactose is a kind of sugar, only of one the many components of dairy. A dairy product can be lactose-free but still consist other components of dairy like whey or casein protein.
Lactose is a naturally occurring substance found in milk and milk products. And while the term “lactose-free” is commonly misunderstood as “dairy-free,” the two terms are decidedly different. It’s important to understand the differences, so you can make informed choices for you and your family in the grocery aisle. Hopefully, this guide can help!
Dairy Allergies People often get confused and treat dairy allergies and lactose intolerance like they’re the same things. But they are actually quite different. The key difference between the two: those who are allergic trigger a response from their immune system after consuming dairy.
Dairy refers to milk and any part of milk that comes from cows and other mammals. Thus, to be dairy-free, a product must have no milk and no ingredients that are part of milk. Since lactose comes from milk, a product that is dairy-free will not have lactose in it.
Lactose intolerance and dairy allergy sound a lot alike. Many people think they’re the same thing. But, how they’re caused (and how they affect your body) are very different. Lactose intolerance involves the digestive system: If you have it, your body doesn’t make lactase, the enzyme needed to digest lactose.
Most people are aware of the fact that you should avoid lactose in dairy. Most dairy products do contain lactose and so it is quite obvious that these are avoided. On the other hand, dairy free products are somewhat less known and so it can be confusing as to whether a product is lactose free or not.
Cheese, cottage cheese, butter, cream, yogurt are all dairy products. Dairy-free products are devoid of dairy including casein and lactose. People on a vegan diet or those who have lactose intolerance of milk allergies consume only dairy-free products. It can be quite tricky to ensure avoiding both lactose and dairy.
Why can’t I process lactose?
Lactose intolerant people are unable to process lactose properly. This is because of the lack of lactase – a kind of digestive enzyme. Products which are lactose-free come with a mention about the same in the ingredient label at the back of the product.
Dairy products include milk which is derived from cows, buffalos and other mammals. Cheese, cottage cheese, butter, cream, yogurt are all dairy products. Dairy-free products are devoid of dairy including casein and lactose. People on a vegan diet or those who have lactose intolerance of milk allergies consume only dairy-free products.
Also, lactose is added to some processed foods like bread, soups, salad dressings, candies, cookies, etc. Lactose and dairy products are different from each other. Photo Credit: iStock. Also read: 5 Non-Dairy Foods Rich In Calcium.
However, lactose free and dairy free are completely different ingredient situations. Lactose is a kind of sugar, only of one the many components of dairy. A dairy product can be lactose-free but still consist other components of dairy like whey or casein protein. However, a product which is dairy-free will definitely be free of lactose.
HIGHLIGHTS. Lactose is a naturally occurring sugar in milk. Dairy-free products are devoid of dairy including casein and whey. Lactose intolerant people should read ingredient label of products. It is a common tendency to confuse dairy with lactose.
It can be quite tricky to ensure avoiding both lactose and dairy. Those suffering from lactose intolerance must run a careful eye through the ingredient label at the back of the product. For those who aspire for dairy-free products, they should watch out for components like cream, casein and whey.
What happens if you don’t digest lactose?
If you’re not digesting lactose, it will be broken down in your colon, releasing hydrogen that can be detected in your breath. Stool acidity test: Babies and children who can’t be tested otherwise can have their stool tested for lactic acid caused by the breakdown of undigested lactose in the colon.
Dairy allergy is one of most common allergies, especially in children. As many as 2 in every 100 children under 4 years old are allergic to milk. It’s even more common in babies.
Lactose intolerance and dairy allergy sound a lot alike. Many people think they’re the same thing. But, how they’re caused (and how they affect your body) are very different. Lactose intolerance involves the digestive system: If you have it, your body doesn’t make lactase, the enzyme needed to digest lactose. That’s the sugar in milk.
Both tests can have “false positives.”. You can test positive for an allergy even though you really don’t have it.
It can be uncomfortable, but it’s not dangerous.
Some symptoms of lactose intolerance and dairy allergy may be the same: Diarrhea. Nausea; sometimes vomiting. Abdominal cramps. Bloating. Gas. But dairy allergy can also cause a reaction in other parts of your body, including the skin and lungs: Rash. Hives.
What is lactose free food?
Lactose-free foods are dairy products where the lactose has been removed, whereas dairy-free means there is no dairy at all ; the food is made from plants or nuts instead. Understanding these labels is important for people with a milk allergy (also referred to as dairy allergy). Lactose-free products are made for people with lactose intolerance …
Dairy-Free Products. To understand the dairy-free label, it is best to understand what dairy actually means. Dairy refers to milk and any part of milk that comes from cows and other mammals . Thus, to be dairy-free, a product must have no milk and no ingredients that are part of milk. Since lactose comes from milk, …
In some people, the body stops producing adequate amounts of lactase and they become unable to digest the sugar properly, causing gastric discomforts such as gas, bloating, cramps, diarrhea, and nausea. For some, ingesting small amounts of foods containing lactose may not cause any problems.
Dairy-free products do not contain casein and whey. These proteins are often found in products labeled lactose-free since removing lactose from milk products may not eliminate these proteins. These proteins will still be present unless there are other forms of processing done to remove them.
Lactose-Free Foods. Since lactose is found only in milk, only products that contain milk can be lactose-free. Therefore, dairy products containing milk are the only types of dairy that can be lactose-free. So that means cream, buttermilk, some cheeses, ice cream, sour cream, and even hot chocolate mixes are forbidden to those who are lactose …
Non-dairy is the regulated term and it actually allows for the presence of milk protein such as casein, whey, and other derivatives. If you have a milk allergy, non-dairy products may not be safe. If you are following a vegan diet, you will not consume any dairy products, whether or not they are labeled as lactose-free because dairy products come …
Luckily, there are lactose-free versions of many of these food s out there on the store shelves. Just look for the “lactose-free” on the label.
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